Media Literacy Challenge: Internet Addiction Self-Diagnosis

DISCUSSION BOARD FORUM 2 INSTRUCTIONS
Discussion boards are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, you are required to create a thread in response to the provided prompt for each forum. For the following forum, the initial thread must be a minimum of 600 words and demonstrate course-related knowledge. In addition to the thread, you are required to reply to at least 2 classmates’ threads with a minimum of 300 words each. Each thread and reply, in total, must contain multiple references from your readings and a biblical reference. Current APA format required.
Threads will contribute to a richer engagement with the material. They are designed to advance your understanding and substantiate connections that will further your research.
Responses are designed to enhance your integrated thinking capacities while providing meaningful feedback to your peers.
THREAD: TOTAL Word Count: a minimum of 600 words.
The following comes from (Baran, 2019, p. 252):
“Media Literacy Challenge: Internet Addiction Self-Diagnosis
The American Psychiatric Association lists “Internet Addiction Disorder” as a recognized mental illness in its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. And while you no doubt have tried to unplug for a while, like 67% of U.S. Internet users every year, somehow you just can’t seem to do it (Birth, 2016). But you’re a media-literate Internet user, so you should be able to explain why it’s so hard to ditch your technology. After all, you certainly are aware of the impact of the Internet on your life. Possibly you are addicted. No, you say? Then take the Internet Addiction Test, developed by Kimberly S. Young of the Center for Online Addiction (2004). Before answering its eight questions, keep in mind that this is a measure of Internet addiction, not computer addiction. So, consider your Internet usage on all devices—computers, smartphones, tablets, and game consoles—when replying. Be sure to count only recreational usage over the last six months; Internet time for school or work doesn’t count.
• Do you feel preoccupied with the Internet (think about previous online activity or anticipate next online session)?
• Do you feel the need to use the Internet for increasing amounts of time to achieve satisfaction?
• Have you repeatedly made unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back, or stop Internet use?
• Do you feel restless, moody, depressed, or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop Internet use?
• Do you stay online longer than originally intended?
• Have you jeopardized or risked the loss of a significant relationship, job,
educational or career opportunity because of the Internet?
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• Have you lied to family members, therapists, or others to conceal the extent of your involvement with the Internet?
• Do you use the Internet as a way of escaping from problems or of relieving feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety, or depression?
Interpreting your answers is simple: Addiction is present if you answered “yes” to at least five of the questions. If that was your situation, consider why that is the case.
• Why are you so dependent on the Internet?
• What can you do to shed your addiction?
• Do you even want to? If not, why not?
As a media-literate Internet, Web, and social media user you understand that any medium is only as beneficial as you make it; therefore, these are questions, regardless of any level or absence of addiction, that you should ask and re-ask yourself. Doing so will improve your media literacy and increase the benefits you derive from these technologies” (Baran, 2019, p. 252).
NOTE: Since this topic is directly about you, feel free to write in first-person for this post. If you find that your answers are too personal, please contact your instructor for additional guidance.
Reference
Baran, S. J. (2019).
Introduction to mass communication: media literacy and culture (10e ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Educatio